Hylton have immediately set out their stall as serious championship contenders this summer.

Hylton have immediately set out their stall as serious championship contenders this summer.

The Wearsiders are among the favourites for the league crown in September after a top-four finish in 2001, especially as the league's dominant force of recent seasons, South Hetton, have moved on to the newer pastures of the Durham Senior League.

Hylton showed such hopes of glory as realistic with a seven-wicket win over Easington on the opening day of the new season.

Paceman David Batty returned with a bang after missing most of last season with a dislocated shoulder, taking 3-30 to restrict Easington to 153.

Gary Hewitt then contributed 67 to steer the Sunderland side to victory.

Secretary Michael Anderson said: "It's great to have David back - he is the strike bowler we missed badly last season.

"He took 30 wickets in the first five games of last season but then got injured and without him we struggled to bowl sides out.

"With him back we're confident we can mount a championship challenge, this year even though we've lost Alan Mustard to Sunderland and Shaun Smith to Philadelphia.

"There's strength in depth in our squad and the lads are full of optimism, especially after such a good win on Saturday."